Akihabara

Akihabara (or "Electric Town") has always struck me as a very mixed hub of different "cultures" that are oft-clashing and yet somehow also complementing nicely with one another. I am, of course, referring to the  electronics and otaku (i.e. anime, games, cosplay, trade-and-swap) "cultures". A mixed bag? Clashing and confusing? Definitely! Yet, in my view, they are also what makes it really fun (and sometimes "dangerous" - I'll explain more later) to shop at Akihabara.

 
Here, you will find a variety of specialty shops selling anything from old radios, classic dvds, animation cels, and collectable figurines to state-of-the-art duty-free electronics, newly-release games, character goods, and even customisable dolls. There are convenience stores, many eateries, and even a Gundam-themed cafe and an AKB48-themed cafe in Akihabara to cater for the customers' needs for rest and sustenance during a protracted shopping spree. There are also a few hotels and two railway/subway stations (Akihabara [JR & metro] & Suehirocho [metro]) serving the Akihabara district should one choose to make it their base for their Tokyo visit.

 

Major electronics stores include: Ishimaru Denki, Sofmap, Laox, Yamada Denki, Akky, Radio Market, and Yodobashi Camera. Major otaku and/or games-related attractions include: Tokyo Anime Centre, Toranoana, Mandarake, Animate, Melonbooks, K-books, Gamers, Book-Off, Volks, Super Potato, Gundam Cafe, Don Quijote, AKB48 Cafe & Shop, and Maid Cafes. Take note: The old Radio Kaikan building has been torn down and is currently being rebuilt to reopen in 2014.

If you are into electronics or otaku-related stuff, bear in mind that any extended shopping expedition to Akihabara is likely to burn a deep hole in your travel budget. Even if you are not into electronics or anime or games, Akihabara is still a worthwhile sightseeing experience for its unique blend of reality, fantasy, and consumerism. In addition, you may also pay to experience some 'idol fever' by visiting the popular all-girls pop idol group, AKB48's headquarter on the 8th floor of the Don Quijote building. AKB48 regularly holds performances in DQ so you may see (or join) their orderly fan lines during one of their concert days.

Akibahara is also one of the very few places in Tokyo where you're likely to be approached by girls in maid costumes and invited to spend time (and money) at the various maid cafes dotted around the area. Whilst never personally visited one, I have gathered from general research and the sub-culture's reputation that each cafe is uniquely set up to reflect a particular fetish - anything from a grassy cafe playing classical 'soothing' music to a Japanese-style classroom featuring one-on-one conversations with maids to staff helping customers play with dolls whilst feeding them miniature food. Just remember NOT to take any photos of the maids at any time - they will flip out (I managed to take these photos without them realising it ;p).

Now, most shops in Akihabara specialise in one particular genre (i.e. electronics, games and/or anime) spread over several floors. The majority of these shops/floors are generally family- and child-friendly. Take note, however, that some of the higher floors (usually well sign-posted) may contain hentai and/or adult-related goods. A second more subtle "danger" is the existence of venues with a pseudo-shopfront. From the outside, they look like any other shops. Once inside, one may find hidden corners and/or sometimes entire floors selling adult videos and/or games. Thankfully, there are only a handful of these shops around in Akihabara.

That said, Akihabara remains one of my most favourite shopping places in the world. The hustle and bustle of traffic, raw energy of large crowds, ease of public transport access, huge variety of electronics and otaku goods, and general proximity of eateries all add to the overall shopping experience. With the notable exception of Yodobashi Camera (discount chain store) on the East side of Akihabara Station, most of the mega shops are located to the West of the station along the main street, Chuo-dori (which closes to traffic around 1pm - 5pm every weekend afternoons and people literally "take to the street"). There are also many smaller independent shops found in the side streets further West along the railway track beyond Chuo-dori. The 'magic' of the place is what keeps a bargain hunter like me coming back for more every time I visit Japan.